He might be South Korea’s next president. All he has to do is impeach the current one.

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. SEOUL—South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung credits a coup and stretch of military rule more than 40 years ago—during which soldiers opened fire on pro-democracy protesters in the southwestern city of Gwangju, killing many—with propelling him into politics. Now, a short-lived attempt by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last week to impose martial law has thrust Lee to within striking distance of his nation’s top job, as Yoon faces impeachment efforts and members of his cabinet are under criminal investigation.

Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in presidential elections in 2022, declined to say whether he would seek the office again. But in an interview, the 59-year-old former labor-rights lawyer said he was determined to oust Yoon, whom he described as a threat to Korea’s constitutional order. “We have to impeach him and restore normal democracy," Lee told The Wall Street Journal, warning that as long as Yoon and his backers stay in power there is a risk they will try to delcare martial law again.

Lawmakers last week failed to reach a voting quorum to impeach Yoon for his martial-law decree. An impeachment motion filed by Lee’s left-leaning Democratic Party, which controls a majority of seats in the National Assembly, fell through on Saturday, when representatives of Yoon’s People Power Party abstained. Opinion polls indicate that Lee would come out on top in a snap election, which would be called if Yoon is removed or resigns.

One survey released Monday found that 52% support Lee. About 10% said they would vote for Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party. The ruling party, whose own popularity is sinking, worries it would struggle to fend off Lee in the event of a